Abilities

Ability Explanation

Prowl: Increases Nidalee's run speed while in a bush. This ability is very useful early game to avoid ganks without boots. Always make use of this passive throughout the game, utilizing bushes as speed buffs whenever possible.

Javelin Toss (Q): Nidalee's primary (and famous) damaging ability. With very long range and very high damage, the Spear can be used to harass, and even execute, enemy champions under their turret safely. With a damage multiplier of 2.5xAP, her Spear maintains high damage even when built bruiser or support. When pressuring your lane, move out to either side of the minion wave to setup a lane for your spear.

Bushwhack (W): Free wards! I usually take this first and ward up all high-traffic areas that enemies may cross. The trap itself is visible, so try to place traps at the beginning points of bushes, so when an enemy enters they don't have time to avoid the trap. There is a slight delay between setting the trap, and it activiting. The trap reveals the surrounding area briefing during this phase. (more on traps in its own section below)

Primal Surge (E): Excellent heal and attack-speed steroid. When seiging a tower, always pop this on yourself to increase damage output. In team fights, make sure to pop this on your ADC whenever possible.

Aspect of the Cougar (R): Unlocks Nidalee's three new abilities, but not available until Level 6. Play safe until you have this ability.

Takedown (R/Q): This ability scales off AD, but will also do more damage the lower health the enemy has. Keep this in mind when attacking, and try to use last in your rotation, maximizing its effectiveness. (for example: when in melee range, use Swipe first, then hit with Takedown second)

Pounce (R/W): Nidalee's primary escape/chase ability. This ability's cooldown matches the recharge rate for Tear of the Goddess, so if that item is in your build, spam Pounce to build stacks. Also, use this whenever possible to close the gap between you and an enemy champion, or to get away...or to just travel! Pounce all the time!

Swipe (R/E): Great wave clearing ability. Use in conjunction with Pounce and Iceborn Gauntlet for fast lane pushing. This ability scales well off of Ability Power.

!!! Nidalee is not EASY !!!

Just to clarify: Nidalee has seven abilities to master, as opposed to most champions only having four. Aside from the sheer number of abilities to keep track of, Nidalee flip/flops from ranged to melee on a whim, making her tactics polar opposites! Once you get the hang of it, Aspect Of The Cougar can become Very deadly.

Pounce back out of the fray, [Aspect of the Cougar] back into human form, and /laugh

This sequence is not easy to nail down. Try getting the hang of Nidalee's slow moving Javelin Toss first. Once you find you're landing those confidently, try the Pounce+ Swipe+ Takedown+ Pounce combo until it feels like second nature. Then you're ready to PWN... :)

Laning/Roaming

Whether your going at it solo top/mid, or rocking a duo bot as support, Nidalee really shines in her ability to out-sustain and harass her opponents while in lane.

Harass

Nidalee has a decent range on her auto-attack, so make use of this as often as possible. With Hybrid Penetration Runes and Attack Damage Masteries, early game harass is powerful. It's imperative you do this because landing a good Javelin Toss is not guaranteed, as it is a first-object-hit skill shot (and slow moving too!). Be confindent in closing the gap between you and your opponent for a few auto-attacks, because a couple early points in Primal Surge will keep you healed and buff your auto-attack speed, making your chance of winning an exchange very high. Just be mindful that you don't get Aspect Of The Cougar until Level 6. Once Aspect Of The Cougar is obtained:

Be sure to spam Primal Surge after your Cougar Combo to keep you up in the fight.

Once you've harrased their health down, start roaming left or right of the minions to free up a clear lane for Javelin Toss, and watch the tears come rolling out >:]

Roam

Roaming is where Nidalee can really help her team, and Jungler in particular. Utilizing Pounce+ Swipe can clear your lane very quickly, and pressure the enemy turret. If you're dominating your lane, and see that top or bot are hurting, go help!!!

Enter human form and toss a max range Javelin Toss if possible for instant pressure for your allies.

Enter back into Aspect Of The Cougar and quickly close the gap to assist your teammates in getting a quick kill, then Pounce your way back into your own lane.

Finally, accept your teammates' "Thank You" as they shower you with praise!

Traps!

Where do I trap?!?

Trapping is simple to understand, but placement is key!

Since Bushwhack is visible to enemies, place these traps where you think your enemy will ENTER a bush (furthest from you usually), rather than at the exit point of a bush (closest to you) giving your enemy time to evade your trap.

Sometimes placing a trap in open view will deter an enemy Jungler from using a gank lane at all, so Trap! Trap! TRAP!

Keep in mind that springing a trap debuffs an enemy, increasing your damage output on them for a short while. Use the debuff from Bushwhack and lay a max-range Javelin Toss for epic spears!

There is a slight delay when placing a trap until it actually activates. Therefore, you cannot simply place a trap on top of an enemy champion and expect it to trigger on them (unless they're not moving). Keep this in mind and lead the enemies with your traps if you're trying to catch them in lane.

Important! Traps briefly uncover an area when placed, during the slight delay before activation. Use this as a great scouting tool!

Summoner's Rift

Twisted Treeline

Proper Pouncing

Nidalee can utilize Pounce to jump over certain low walls/trees all across the map. A Big Thanks to "Nayla Nicole" for making this Awesome video covering Pounce lanes, shown below:

Very Important!

Nidalee jumps in the direction she is MOVING, and NOT in the direction of her mouse!

Can only jump over Low Walls/Trees

Teamfights

Nidalee excels at poking an enemy team into submission. Javelin Toss before your team engages to soften your targets.

If you've built Nidalee tanky, don't hesitate to jump into the fray and get your claws dirty. Just mind your cooldowns, and leave Aspect Of The Cougar to land a well-aimed Javelin Toss whenever possible.

Summoner Spells

Flash: I go with this spell on most of my champions, as it is a powerful escape/execute ability. Whether it's avoiding a gank, hopping a wall, or going in for that last hit kill, this spell is a must-have.

Ignite: The added DPS is always good, espicially if playing top lane bruiser. Combined with Flash, you can pull off some sexy executes.

Teleport: Not recommended, but still a very strong utility spell. Makes recalling and getting back into lane quick and efficient. Also great for split pushing, or defending towers.

BUILD: Summoner's Rift - TOP

Runes

Greater Mark of Hybrid Penetration9

Greater Seal of Armor9

Greater Glyph of Magic Resist9

Greater Quintessence of Attack Damage3

Hybrid Penetration gives Nidalee an early game harass boost. I choose this over Flat Magic Penetration as Hybrids gives you 5.5 Magic/8.1 Armor Penetration, and Flats give you 7.8 Magic Penetration. The loss of Magic Penetration is very small, and you gain a nice boost to early auto-attack damage with the added Armor Penetration.

Flat Armor and Magic Resist to counter a blind pick top. You can go with Scaling Armor/Magic Resist, but it doesn't come into effect compared to Flats until you've gained a few levels, and can cost you an early death.

Attack Damage Quints give Nidalee a nice boost to her early game harass, coupled with Hybrid Penetration Runes. An alternate choice is Movement Speed Quints, which give Nidalee good roaming/escape potential.

Masteries

4/4

1/1

3/3

3/3

1/1

1/1

1/1

2/2

2/2

1/1

3/3

1/1

3/3

3/3

1/1

This setup is a good balance between damage, survivability, and lane sustain.

The Attack Damage Masteries give Nidalee a little boost in early lane harass.

9 Points in Defense and 7 Points in Utility give Nidalee just enough Health/Mana Regeneration to stay in lane against some heavy hitting champions. You'll have to find a good balance between auto-attacking, and closing the gap with a strong combo like Pounce+ Swipe+ Takedown+ Pounce to do some serious damage.

Scaling Mana Regeneration to help with early game mana issues. You can replace these for Armor Yellows if you find yourself against a strong enemy AD Champion mid, with a gap closer.

Scalng and Flat Abliity Power to boost Javelin Toss and Bushwhack early damage. You can replace the Scaling Ability Power Blues for Magic Resist if you find yourself against a strong enemy AP Champion mid, with a gap closer.

Masteries

1/1

4/4

1/1

3/3

1/1

1/1

3/3

3/3

1/1

3/3

1/1

1/1

2/2

3/3

1/1

1/1

This setup is purely offensive, and very squishy.

Mid Nidalee is a Very powerful APC all throughout the game. Focusing on pure offense gives her devastating Javelin Toss hits, which is what she's known for. Take advantage of this build by forcing the enemy out from behind their minions, and setup some strong lanes to chuck your spears.

Both Javelin Toss and Swipe scale greatly with the AP, but keep in mind that Takedown scales off of AD, and you won't see any big hitting from being up close with that ability. This build centers around landing good Javelin Toss spears, and staying in the backfield out of harm's way.

BUILD: Summoner's Rift - SUPPORT

Runes

Greater Mark of Magic Penetration9

Greater Seal of Armor9

Greater Glyph of Scaling Ability Power9

Greater Quintessence of Ability Power3

Magic Penetration for some damage boost with Javelin Toss. I don't recommend Hybrid Penetration, because as a Support you'll find yourself dying often if you get close enough to be CC'd by the enemy Support. Stay back and chuck spears!

Armor for added survivability. Another good choice would be Mana Regeneration, but stick to Armor if you know you can manage your mana efficiently.

Scaling and Flat Ability Power to boost Javelin Toss and Bushwhack early damage. You can replace the Scaling Blues for Mana Regeneration if needed.

Masteries

4/4

1/1

3/3

1/1

3/3

3/3

3/3

1/1

3/3

1/1

3/3

3/3

1/1

This setup focuses on poke DPS, with utility support.

With 21 points in Utility, Nidalee will be very quick on her feet (or claws) and able to roam effectively. Use this to your advantage to Trap/Ward behind enemy lines, and Pounce your way out!

Without any points in the Defense tree, you'll be much squishier than other builds, so be careful. Getting caught by enemy CC will likely cost you your life before Level 6. Once you have Aspect Of The Cougar, move around the battlefield quickly to setup lanes to land Javelin Toss and to keep out of reach of the enemy ADC.

Ability Sequence

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

Getting two early points in Primal Surge helps to keep your ADC alive, and provides a great attack-speed steroid.

Maximize your Javelin Toss first though, not to last-hit execute enemy champions, but to burst them down enough so your ADC can get an easy kill.

Important! Don't forget to cast Primal Surge on your ADC when taking down an enemy tower!

BUILD: Twisted Treeline 3's - APC

Flat Armor and Magic Resist to counter a blind pick top. You can go with Scaling Armor/Magic Resist, but it doesn't come into effect compared to Flats until you've gained a few levels, and can cost you an early death.

The Flat Armor/Magic Resist can be replaced for Mana Regeneration and Ability Power if you prefer the early damage boost over survivability.

Masteries

1/1

4/4

3/3

1/1

3/3

3/3

1/1

3/3

1/1

1/1

2/2

2/2

1/1

3/3

1/1

This setup is mainly offensive, with added points in Health/Mana Regeneration, and Armor/Magic Resist Boost. The defense boost scales well with Flat Armor/Magic Resist Runes for a bit more early-game survivability.

APC Nidalee is Very powerful all throughout the game. Focusing on offense gives her devastating Javelin Toss hits, which is what she's known for. Take advantage of this build by forcing the enemy out from behind their minions, and setup some strong lanes to chuck your spears.

Both Javelin Toss and Swipe scale greatly with the AP, but keep in mind that Takedown scales off of AD, and you won't see any big hitting from being up close with that ability. This build centers around landing good Javelin Toss spears, and staying in the backfield out of harm's way.

BUILD: Twisted Treeline 3's - BRUISER

Runes

Greater Mark of Hybrid Penetration9

Greater Seal of Armor9

Greater Glyph of Magic Resist9

Greater Quintessence of Attack Damage3

Hybrid Penetration gives Nidalee an early game harass boost. I choose this over Flat Magic Penetration as Hybrids gives you 5.5 Magic/8.1 Armor Penetration, and Flats give you 7.8 Magic Penetration. The loss of Magic Penetration is very small, and you gain a nice boost to early auto-attack damage with the added Armor Penetration.

Flat Armor and Magic Resist to counter a blind pick top. You can go with Scaling Armor/Magic Resist, but it doesn't come into effect compared to Flats until you've gained a few levels, and can cost you an early death.

Attack Damage Quints give Nidalee a nice boost to her early game harass, coupled with Hybrid Penetration Runes. An alternate choice is Movement Speed Quints, which give Nidalee good roaming potential; but with the map being significantly smaller than Summoner's Rift, you may not see the need for this.

Masteries

4/4

3/3

3/3

1/1

1/1

2/2

2/2

2/2

1/1

3/3

1/1

3/3

3/3

1/1

This setup is a good balance between damage, survivability, and lane sustain.

The Attack Damage Masteries give Nidalee a little boost in early lane harass.

9 Points in Defense and 7 Points in Utility give Nidalee just enough Health/Mana Regeneration to stay in lane against some heavy hitting champions. You'll have to find a good balance between auto-attacking, and closing the gap with a strong combo like Pounce+ Swipe+ Takedown+ Pounce to do some serious damage.

You'll find the majority of your power actually coming from Swipe and Takedown. Since you're pretty tanky in this build, you're bread and butter should be Pounce+ Swipe+ Takedown+ Pounce. Jump in and get your claws dirty!

League of Legends is a team based, real time strategy game set in a mythical world of swords & magic where epic battles decide the fate of mystical nations. Game players take on the role of a Summoner who conjures and controls champions to fight for them at the Institute of War. During game play champions gain experience and items to enhance their skills and abilities. How players develop and play their champions can be the difference between a crushing defeat or a glorious victory!